Combination-lock



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1] Q H. H. DANIELS.

COMBINATION LOOK. No. 505,151 Patented Sept. 19,1893.

VVITNESSES. ZNVENTOR,

- 34 TOR EW (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. H. H, DANIELS.

v GQMBINATION LOCK. j 5 No. 505,157. Patented Sept. 19, 18.931

'. I ZNVENTOR.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY H. DANIELS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

COMBINATION-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 505,157, dated September 19, 1893. Application filed December 9, 1892. Serial No. 454,682- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY H. DANIELS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combinalion-Locks, of which the following isa specification.

The several features of my invention and the various advantages resulting from their use, conjointly or otherwise, will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings making a part of this specification and to which reference is hereby made,-Figure 1, Sheet 1, shows in elevation the interior of the lock embodying my invention. Fig. 1 is a transverse section taken in a plane at the dotted line A, B, of Fig. 1, that side of the section being seen which faces toward the right in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows in elevation, and on a diminished scale,certain details of this lock,occupyinganother position from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a vertical, central longitudinal section of the knob and mechanism immedi-' ately connected therewith for operating the combination lock. Fig. 4 is an elevation of that end of the device which is seen by aspece tator located to the left of the device shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view of certain parts of the lock hereinafter mentioned. Fig; 6 is an edge view of the devices of Fig. 5, but

7 looking at the edge of same, from a point to the right of Fig. 5. Fig.7 is a detail elevation, showing an obvious modification of a portion of the mechanism for locking the latch. Fig. Sis asection taken at the line C, D, of Fig. 7, that side of the section being seen which faces toward the right hand in Fig. 7.

A indicates the frame of the lock, composed of a front piece A, top A back A bottom A and side pieces as A secured together in any well known manner.

B is the latch bolt, having head B, provided on one of its free edges with the usual bevel. This'bolt has a central slot or opening B in which is located a guide rod or piece B rigidly attached at its left end to the bolt B. i The other or free end of this guide rod or piece B is located in the guide slot B formed by and located between the two lugs or yoke B B in turn secured to the frame.

Embracing the rod B is a spiral spring B compressed between the front end of slot B and the forward edges of the lugs B B The function of this spring is to allow the latch to be elastically moved back, and then when the latch is free to advance, to elastically advance the latter. A further function of the lugs B is to act as guides for the rear portion of the latch bolt B, compelling the latter to reciprocate in a given straight line.

The immediate mechanism for positively retracting the bolt consists of the lugs or arms 0, C", respectively projecting from the upper and lower portions of the knob cylinder C, a little in advanceof the center of the latter, and shown partly in solid, and partly in dotted lines in Figs. 1, 5 and 6. Each arm 0 acts against an adjacent lug or projection O on the latch bolt, and shown partlyin solid and partly in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 5 and in solid lines in Fig. 6. The mode in which said lugs operate in retracting the latch is well known, and needs no further explanation.

Pivoted upon pivot bolt D fixed in the frame is an upper locking piece D, whose free end is bifurcated, and when the latch is out, rests upon the horns or armsO C of the cylinder 0, one of the forks D resting on one of the arms 0 and the other fork D on the other arm 0 This locking piece D is continuously elastically pressed down by a suitable spring as D, fixed to the piece D and pressing against the frame A This piece D carries a tongue or stop lug D and to the front of the latter lies a lug D fixed on the latch bolt B. When both of the forks D D rest on their respective arms 0 C of the cylinder 0, the tongue D lies below the lug D and the latch is free, as the door is shutyto be pushed back by the plate on the door casing usually known as the lock striker, and then to advance and latch the door, in the usual manner. This sleeve is turned by a knob spindle inserted into the hole 0 of the cylinder, this hole having angular sides for engaging the spindle closely fitting therein. This spindle communicates with a knob on the inside of the door whereby the knob cylthe door, one of the arms 0 throws the locking piece D so high that the tongue D is in a horizontal plane above the lug D and as the latch is retracted, the lug D passes beneath the tongue D without hinderance.

An obvious modification hereof (see Figs. 7 and 8) consists in omitting the ridge D as a projection and making it in the form of a tongue in a flat extended portion of the latch bolt B, spaces or, as, being at the respective sides thereof. The tongue D now constitutes a ridge on the side of the pivoted locking piece D. At the middle part of .the oscillation of the locking piece D an end of the ridge D is opposite and against the end of the tongue D and locks the latch bolt B. At the upper and lower positions of the piece D, the ridge D misses the tongue D and can pass by it, leaving the latch bolt B free to be reciprocated. The other principal advantages of the pivot piece D as constructed and of the tongue D and lug D will be hereinafter stated.

E indicates a circular combination lock, having two or or more discal tumblers E capable of being set at desired numbers, and held in a cylinder E, which I designate as the tumbler chamber or support. These are contained in a suitable holder or cylindrical frame E, located in the lock substantially as shown. When the tumblers are in a position to allow the combination lock to be opened, the notches or recesses R of the tumblers will be coincident and will occupy the position shown in Fig. 1.

A pivotal pulling bar F is connected to the latch piece B by a pivot F, located in a slot F in the forward portion of the said piece F. The free end of said piece has a downward projecting end or tooth F adapted to enter the notches R of the tumblers when these notches are'in line, substantially as shown in Fig. 1. This downward pressure and movement of said bar F is usually accomplished by not only its own weight, but also by the spring D pressing on the locking piece D. The forward sliding movement of the bar F islimited by the stop or edge at F and the rear movement of said piece is limited by the stop or edge at F. Consequently the distance or space F between these stops is the distance the latch can be reciprocated by the combination.

' When the cylindrical shell E is present, a convenient mode of forming these stops F and F consists, as shown, in cutting through the said shell E and tumbler or chamber support E a space equal to the distance F the ends of this space respectively acting as the said stops F and F. A provisional stop for' limiting the backward movement of the latch bar B is also present in the edge 13 of the rear slot B of the latch bar. When the latch bar is retracted, this stop B impinges against the knob cylinder and prevents any farther backward movement. The rear stop F at the tumbler casing E could therefore, if necessary, be dispensed with.

For certain purposes hereinafter stated, it becomes necessary to lift the free end of the bar F. Means for accomplishing this elevation of said bar F consists as follows: Gindicates an angular lever pivotally fulcrumed at G, and having ashort arm G2 and a longer arm G The free end of the short arm G of this lever G carries a lug which works in a transverse groove H in the reciprocating rod H. The forward end of the latter is supported by and slides through the front frame A, at H, and its rear end slides through and is supported byaguide H The guide H when the aforesaid cylindrical casing is present, is preferably formed by cutting through said casing, as shown. In each tumbler is a concave depression E and this depression is so located with reference to the recess R of said tumbler that when the recessRis in position for opening the lock, viz: as shown in Fig. 1, this depression is opposite the rear end of the reciprocating rod H. These depressions allow the rod H to be pushed back far enoughto sufficiently lift the bar Fto cause it in turn to lift the pivoted piece D heretofore described the requisite distance. This lifting is accomplished through an extension 0 of the pivoted piece D, the said extension coming'down under the knob cylinder and resting upon the bar F. Pushing the rod H in toward the lock E as far as it can go, elevates the arm G3 of the bell crank lever G, and in turn lifts the free end of pivoted bar F, and the latter elevates the pivoted piece D so high that the tongue D is brought above the lug D and the latch is thus unlocked. The tumblers of the combination lock E can now be turned, and the combination broken up. As they are thus turned, the rod H is pushed, and causes the bar F to descend and its tooth to rest on the top of the periphery of the tumbler E Thelocking piece D at the same time descends and locates the tongue D opposite the lug D, and permanently locks the bolt.

The preferred combination employed in look E is that fully set forth and described in those Letters Patent of the United States granted to me on the 1st day of July, 1890, No. 431,336, and on the 30th dayofAugust, No. 481,551, for improvements in combination padlocks, and further description thereof is deemed unnecessary except so far as it is desirable to do so in connection with certain novel features of construction herein for the first time set forth.

J indicates the knob spindle for turning the tumblers of the combination look, as described in said Letters Patent. The knob spindle is fixed to a discal part or piece J. The spindle J for a part Of its length turns in the neck J of the knob. This neck is stationary while the spindle J turns therein. The knob cap J has an annular flange J surrounding the piece J and also the outer flange J of the neck J From the inner side of the cap J projects a lug or pin J whose free end is always in a recess or opening J in thepiece J. The cap J 3 is free to slide to and from the piece J ',but this movement is so limited that the pin J cannot come out of the opening J Hence the cap J and piece J must always turn together.

To the central portion of the inner side of the cap J 3 is fixed a hollow shank J 7 containing a spiral slot J in which plays a pin J fixed to a central rod J The shank J slides in the outer portion of the hollow spindle J The outer end portion of the central rod J 8 slides longitudinally within the shank J and near its center slides through a guide J fixed to and a part of-the spindle J The extreme inner end of the rod J 8 is journaled in a bearing J of said spindle and the outward sliding of the rod is limited by the washer J and nut J to the left of the bearing J (see Fig. 3).

The rod carries the teeth J one tooth for each tumbler, that is each tumbler is operated by its pinion I, engaging the tooth of its tumbler, and the rod J 8 carries a tooth for each pinion I. The rod J therefore, is rotatable within the limits allowed by the play of the pin J in the slot J and can slide longitudinally the distance between the left hand tooth J and the washer J (see Fig. l). The cap J and its shank J is always (except when pushed inward toward the lock by human agency)-e1astically kept at the outer portion of its longitudinal play by means of a spring J coiled around the rod J and compressed between thefront side of the bearing J and the rear end of the hollow shank J Pushing the cap J 3 in operates by means of the slot J and pin J to cause the lugs J to move round in an arc, and to advance to the left, (Fig.1.) These lugs J 21 are so arranged in relation to the gear or pinion wheels I respectively gearing into their respective tumblers E that the areal movement of said teeth J 21 operates to turn the pinion I. For example, the tumblers E are all out of combination and the cap J is set in position to begin to put them into combination. The operator pushes the cap in and thereby moves the teeth to the left, and brings one tooth into engagement with the pinion I, with which it was designed toengage. The teeth also describe an arc, and the tooth J 21 in engagement with the said pinion I turns the latter and moves its tumbler E around a given distance. The cap J 3 is now allowed to be elastically moved out, and the said tooth J 21 comes out of engagement with the pinion I. This operation is repeated until the first tumbler has been turned till in accordance with the number it has been set on, the tumbler has been-turned till the notch R is under the tooth F of the bar F. The cap J and piece J of the spindle J and the latter are now rotated to a position where a given tooth J shall engage the pinion I of the next tu1nbler E3, when the cap is advanced. The cap J is now reciprocated the requisite number of times for turning the tumbler into combina-. tion, thus bringingits notch R under the tooth F These operations are repeated with each successive tumbler, till all are brought into combination as aforesaid. These operations of the shank J slot J pin J rod J teeth J 1, pinions I and tumblers are all fully described and set forth in my said Patent No. 481,551, to which reference is hereby made. The sliding cap J embracing the piece J and its pin J and piece J provided with recess J are features of special construction not set forth in the said patent.

Additional novel features are now to be described, viz: Upon the part J is located a rubber bumper or stop J preferably in the form of a ring surrounding the hollow shank J as shown. This renders the impact of the cap J 3 against the piece J noiseless, an important desideratum in a burglar proof cornbination.

An inquiry naturally arises,how is the operator to know how far to turn the cap J in order to place it in position to turn a given tumbler This he can know as followsz-A set catch J is located in the rim J 5 of the stationary neck J of the knob. The rear side of the piece J has recesses J the number of which latter corresponds to the number of tumblers to be operated. These recesses J are so located that as the cap J 3 and piece J are rotated, they consecutively come opposite theforward end of the said catch J One recess is so located that when the cap J is. turned to begin the work of setting the com- [00 bination, viz: of acting on the first pinion I, the catch J .17 is opposite this recess. The successive recesses are in such positions that each comes opposite the catch when the'cap J is in position to act on the corresponding [55 pinion I. The catch J is elastically pressed backward to the left (see Fig. 4.) by a spring J, and away from part J. The rear end of the catch then projects rearward beyond its support, viz: to the left, (see said figure.) -In no practice, the operator in setting the combination, presses the rear end of the catch J and moves the latter to the right, whereupon the forward end of the catch will press against the piece J, and as the operator rotates .the r 15 cap J 3 and piece J as soon as the next recess J comes opposite the catch, the latter will enter it, and hold the cap in position for the operator to reciprocate the cap J 3 and turn and set a given tumbler. After this tumbler :20 is set the operator withdraws pressure from the catch, and the latter is moved back out of engagement with the recess J The operator then turns the cap and again pressing upon the catch in like manner, finds the next r25 recess.

A convenient means for enabling the opererator to place the cap in position for finding the combination is an indicating fixture. Such a one is the hump or projection J 3, on 13c the cap, the hump being attop, when thecap is in position for beginning to set the combination. I

The rear upper andlowerportions of the latch bar B respectively slide in a groove 0 in the knob cylinder 0, it being understood that in the rear portion of the latch there is present an opening or slot 13, substantially as shown. This arrangement for guiding the rear portion of the latch bar is a great advantage. It not only keeps the bar in perfect alignment, but enables the bar to slide with perfect ease and smoothness of movement. Consequently, only the verylightest description of spring need be employed to elastically press the latch bar outward and as a matter of fact, the springs which I employ are only one fourth of the strength usually required to elastically advance the latter.

The forward edge B of the slot B is utilized by me as a stop for limiting the rearward movement of the latch barand, therefore, whenever it is found that the edge F heretofore mentioned, is unnecessary, it need not be retained to perform the functions of a stop, as said functions will be performed by the edge B aforementioned.

In practice, the mode of working the lock will be as follows: The combination lock is locked, and hence the whole locked during the night, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 2. In the morning, the combination is set, the tooth F being in the notches R, and the parts as in Fig; 1. The latch can now be moved, all day, and the combination .cannot be unset or broken up, as the tooth F will remain in the notches B, there being no bevels on it, or the notches to enable it to ride up and out from said notches. In order to permanently lock the door, I push the rod H backward till it enters the depression E in the tumblers, which movement lifts the locking bar D, so that its tongue D will be above the lug D allowing the door to latch by its own free will. Now by turning the knob of the combination lock, the combination is broken, and at the same time the rod H is pushed out, and lets the bar F down till its notch rests on the periphery of the tumblers, and brings the tongue D opposite the lug D thereby permanently locking the latch bar. The rear end of the spindle J is encircled with grooves. This part of the spindle is located within the central opening E through the tumblers (see Fig. 1), and in each groove, the teeth I of the wheel I rotate, a tooth at a time, passing in the groove and opening, substantially as shown in Fig. 1. It is understood that the teeth J in engaging the pinions move out through a slot or opening J in the spindle J as described in my said patent. On this spindle J are the lugs J which respectively throw the tumblers around and ultimately into their respective positions to be set, substantially as described in my said patent.

What I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of an auxiliary knob spindle, and another knob and tumblers in connection with the latter, and the sliding well as opposite thereto, and also tailpiece C tooth F lever F, the latter for lifting the tooth F out of the notches of the tumblers, and elevating the locking piece D, the auxiliary knob-spindle carrying one or more arms for actuating the sliding latch, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination of the sliding latch B, having stop lug D and the locking piece D having tongue D and capable of being raised above and below the said tongue as well as opposite thereto, and the arms D on said piece D and arms 0 C of the knob cylinder 0, supporting said arms D and the lugs 0 G on said cylinder, and lugs O, C, on the latch barB for engagement therewith, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination of the latch bar B, and spring for advancing it, and the usual knob cylinder E and means for enabling it to move the latch, and bar F having slot F and pin F therein and secured to said bar and tooth F on said bar F and tumblers having notches R for receiving said tooth, for enabling the tumblers to move the latch independently of the cylinder 0, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. The combination of the sliding latch bar B, having stop lug D, and the locking piece D having tongue D and arms D and lugs C, and cylinder 0 having arms 0 and lugs C respectively engaging said arms D and lugs O, and locking bar F, having slot F and tooth F and tumblers E having notches R for engagement with said tooth and the pin F on the latch bar located in slot F extension C of the locking piece resting on bar F, and pivoted angular lever G, one limb G against bar F, and bar H reciprocally sliding engaging the limb G of the lever G, and a front stop for the bar F, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination of the latch bar B and the locking piece D, and cylinder E cut away and forming stops F and F and the bar F for retracting the latch and lifting the locking piece D, whose tooth F engages said stops, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The combination of the sliding latch bar B, having stop lug D, and the locking piece D having tongue D and arms D and .lugs C, and cylinder 0 having arms G and lugs C respectively engaging said arms D and lugs C, and locking bar F, having slot F and tooth F and tumblersE having notches R for engagement with said tooth and the pin F on the latch bar located in slot F extension 0 of the locking piece resting on bar F, and pivoted angular lever G, one limb G against bar F, and bar H reciprocally sliding, engaging the limb G of the lever G, and a front stop for the bar F, the bar H having end H and the tumblers having depressions E, for receiving said end, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. The reciprocating bar H, and the frame A, and combination lock casing E, and tumblercylinder E bearings for the said rod H being formed therein, tumblers having depressions E and the lever G, bar F, latch bar, knob cylinder O-and locking piece, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. The combination of the sliding latch bar B, having stop lug D and the locking piece D having'tongue D ,and arms D and lugs O, andcylinder 0 having arms 0 and lugs C respectively engaging said arms D and lugs O, and locking bar F, having slot F and tooth F and tumblers E having notches R for engagement with said tooth and the pin F on the latch bar located in slot F extension 0 of the locking piece resting on bar F, and pivoted angular lever G, one limb G against bar F, and bar H reciprocally sliding, engaging the limb G of the lever G, and a front stop for the bar F, spring D located in the bar D and pressing against the frame A, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. The sliding latch bar B, having the rear ends and the cylinder 0 having the groove 0, receiving said rear ends of the bar B, and forming a guide therefor, and spring for advancing the latch bar, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. The sliding latch bar B, having the rear ends and the cylinder 0 having the groove 0, receiving said rear ends of the bar B, and forming a guide therefor, and spring for advancing the latch bar, and the rod B fixed to the latch bar and located in slot B of the latch bar and having the lugs B B in said slot and fastened to the frame, and the rod B sliding between same, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. In a combination lock, the devices substantially as described for operating the tumblers, and the reciprocating cap J 8 having flange embracing piece J, and pin J moving in recess J of part J, substantially as and for the purposes specified. 12. In a combination lock, the devices substantially as described for operating the tumblers, and the reciprocating cap J 3 having flange embracing piece J, and pin J moving in recess J of part J, and rubber stop J substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. In a combination lock, the devices substantially as described for operating the tumblers, and the reciprocating cap J 3 having flange embracing piece J, and pin J moving in recess J of part J, and catch J extending through the piece J, and held back by spring J, the piece J having recesses J into whichsaid catch can be pushed, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

14. In a combination lock, the devices substantially as described for operating the tum blers, and the reciprocating cap J 3 having flange embracing piece J, and pin J moving in recess J of part J, and catch J extending through the piece J ,and held back. by spring J, the piece J having recesses J into which said catch can be pushed, and indicator piece J located on the cap J substantially as and for the purposes specified.

15. In a combination lock, the combination of the sliding-latch bar B, having stop lug I)", and locking piece D having tongue D and the bar F, tumblers E having notch R, and means for lifting bar F, and the knob spindle with means substantially as specified for retracting the sliding latch bar, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

16. In a combination lock, the reciprocating knob or cap J and a pin J for compelling the rotation of the shank J substantially as and for, the purposes specified.

HENRY H. DANIELS. Attest:

WM. E. J oNEs, K. SMITH. 

